Improvement in the mode of whitening leather



212-107 Freesca f8 s eer JAMES C. BOOTH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MODE OF WHITENING LEATHER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1,881, dated December 5, p

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES C. BOOTH, of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Manufacturi ng, Preparing, Whitening, or making what is termed Fair Ileather; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and accurate description.

In order to obtain or put the leather in the state designated, so that it niay'have the pecnliar light-colored and fair appearance which is the object-of the invention, I employ it (the leather) in that stage of the manufacture when it is in its moist state after it is finished; or, if"

it is used when the leather is dry, then iu't-he latter case it must be moisteii idthrough with clear water. While it is thus wet I spread, with a sponge, brush, or other suitable article, the following liquid composition over the fair surface oftheleather,givingitltsuificientdampness to let the pores absorb the liquid.

The liquid to be applied is a solution of the protomuriate ot'tin in muriatic acid, ether, alcohol', and water, and is composed as follows: Any quantity of the protomuriate of tin is dissolved in about one-half of its weight of muriatic acid, and to t is solution ether is added in the proportion, by weight, of three times the weight of the protomuriate of tin, and then a quantity of alcohol, by weight, equal to four times the weight of the protoniuriate of tin. To this may be superadded clear fresh water in the proportion of three parts, by weight, as compared with the protomuriate of tin.

Recapitulation of proportions: Any quantity of protomuriate of tin according to the amount or quantity of leather to be treated say, protomuriate of tin, two parts; lllllI'ItlIIG acid, one part; ether, six parts; alcohol, eight parts; water, six parts.

If the leather to be employed under this process is not clear, or is very dark or spotted, then a greater proportion of muriatic acid is to be usedsay,'an equal quantity, by weight, or twice as much, by weight, as compared with the protomur iate of tin. I

Immediately after the application of the above described liquid composition to the leather I spread over it, in a similar manner, spirits of turpentine, with or without a small quantity of tallow dissolved in it, suiiicient to make it pliable, and the leather is suflered to dry in the ordinary way, and the operation is complete. The spirits of turpentine alone will generally be sufficient to give pliability to the leather after the first composition is employed without adding the tallow; but when the leather is stiff or hard or not snfficiently soft the tallow may then be added. The leather after this process will have the required whiteness and fair appearance.

What I claim as my invention or discovery The use of the protomuriate of tin, dissolved in the manner and by the liquids above described, for the purpose of communicating a light-colored and fair appearance to leather, whether the leather be oak-tanned, barktanned,'or hemlock-tanned leather, with its natural or ordinary color.

November 17, 1810.

JAS. G. BOOTH.

Witnesses:

I. H. Roenas, P. BENsoN DELANY, Jr. 

